“Congrats” David said. “A word of advice? Don’t go overboard with the ring. Sophie barely wears hers.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Curtis leaned forward. “Robyn loves hers. Sophie is just too tiny for a big rock. That thing takes up half her finger.”
“So, we’ve gone from the junior high boys locker room to girls bathroom gossip.” Jake slowly clapped his hands. “Let’s move on. I’ll go next.”
“You have a woman in mind?” Brandon tried not to smile.
Jake grinned, a rare sight. “I’m working on it, but let’s get back to business.”
…
Megan tugged Cash’s leash as she walked to Jack Sullivan’s front door. She should have tethered him to Money, who stayed right beside her. Ava opened the door, a curious arch to her brow.
“You brought your dogs? I don’t know how Jack feels about dogs.”
“We were at a playdate at the dog park when you called. You said to get here as fast as I could.”
“You have playdates for your dogs?” Her sister looked even more shocked, if that were possible.
“Would you want to stay inside all day? I’ll put them out back, he’ll never know they were here.”
“Unless they shit in the yard. We’d never find it until it ruined a shoe.”
Oh, that. Money wouldn’t, but Cash was a puppy and probably would. A four-year-old puppy, but still. “Then we’ll keep them inside. I can’t leave them in the car.”
“That’s what people with dogs do, Meg.”
“These aren’t just any dogs. They’re—”
“Your children. Brandon needs to get you knocked up so you can tell the difference between people and animals.” Ava gave her best dramatic sigh. “This ruins your surprise.”
“What is it?” Megan shortened the leashes as she stepped into Jack’s house. Cash started yipping like the place was on fire, leaping on his leash and falling like a wacky cartoon. “Does he have cats?”
“Surprise!” Briana popped out from behind a corner holding her arms out and wiggling her fingers.
She dropped the leashes, nearly tackling her baby sister while Cash jumped on her legs. Briana scooped him up, holding him close while he licked her cheek.
“I missed you too, handsome,” Briana spoke in the baby voice she saved for the pup. She offered her free hand to the boxer. “And who is this good boy?”
“Money. He’s Brandon’s, hence the perfect behavior.”
“Your dogs are named Cash and Money?” Ava put her hands on her hips, accentuating her model-thin figure. “I thought Cash was named for the man in black. What’s next, Stocks and Bonds?”
Those were damn good ideas. “We’re keeping it to just the two until we have a real yard.”
“Let’s sit,” Briana said, taking Cash with her. She sat on Jack’s white sofa and Megan winced.
She took Cash, placing him at her feet before she sat. “Don’t let him on the furniture. He’ll try doing it at home and Brandon will bring out the squirt bottle. It makes both of them cower.”
“That’s so... domestic.” Ava joined them, tucking her feet beneath her…
…
“You say it like it’s a bad word. You ought to try it sometime.” She squeezed Briana again. “I’m so excited you’re here. Why did you decide to fly down?”
“I drove, actually. Aunt Sunny had the address, and I really didn’t want to walk into the hotel. I don’t know how you do it.”
“It won’t be the Beverly Carlton much longer. And then we can put this whole sordid mess behind us.”
“That’s actually why I’m here.” The tension in the room tripled, vibrating so fast you could almost hear it. “He called.”
Of course he would contact Briana, his protégé. For a moment she wanted to keep the truth from them. “Our phones are monitored for contact. Sunny’s, too. Maybe when Mom comes back we can find a way to clear her name.”
Ava nodded in agreement. “I know a few lawyers from when I set the business up. I’ll ask them for recommendations.”
Briana let out a long sigh. “He called me at work because he knows our phones are tapped. He wanted to make sure we all landed on our feet.”
“I’ll bet.” Megan pulled a pillow onto her lap and leaned back. “Guilt must have hit him over leaving us homeless and penniless.”
“He didn’t do that part.”
“Come on!” Ava’s cheeks pinked, annoyance lacing her every word. “You can’t believe him.”
“I’m not so sure.” Briana spoke slowly, her words measured and steady. “He said the dealings with the business are more complicated than they seem. He admitted he’s not innocent in it. I don’t think he’d tell the truth about one and lie about the other.”
Megan rolled her eyes. “Lying is like breathing to him. Think of all the times we had to listen to them fighting, Mom crying for days, and then he comes back like it all never happened. He stole from us, left us without a word of warning or a chance to prepare.”
“Here’s the thing. It wasn’t his idea. His lawyers said they’d tie it up in litigation and work towards settlements. Mom has been cashing out our accounts for months.”
Oh, please. “You bought that? Briana, honey, he always blames someone else. You know that.”
“I know he’s not perfect. What he said made sense to me. Mom has been off for most of the year.”
“She had more migraines. They knock her out for days at a time. Always have.”
“These weren’t migraines. She has a brain tumor.”
Megan’s mind spun. Shock, disbelief, fear. Who knew if it were even true. Could be a sympathy ploy to keep Briana close. “Did you talk to Mom?”
Briana shook her head. “It was a brief conversation. He wanted us to know they are safe, and make sure we were, too.”
“Where are they?” Money came closer, resting his head on her lap. She slipped off the couch and onto the floor. Cash crawled onto her lap with Money lying beside her. Dogs were different than people, they showed more kindness and compassion.
“He couldn’t say.”
“Wouldn’t,” Ava said and huffed a breath. “What are we supposed to do with his we’re okay, you’re okay missive? Wait another three months for him to call?”
Briana shook her head. “He said not to tell anyone and that he’d be in touch soon.”
Megan wasn’t going to stay silent for her father’s sake. Especially after the spiel of bullshit he threw at her sister. She wouldn’t keep secrets from Brandon. Not now, not ever. They were together in every sense of the word, and for better or worse he’d stood by her through this whole mess. Even when she didn’t deserve it.
“I’m not counting on him, but you know what you can count on?” She smiled wide, glad to change the subjects to things that actually would happen. “Brandon and I are getting married.”
Briana screamed and slid to the floor, hugging her tight. “This is so exciting! Something good is finally happening for us.”
“Hold on,” Ava broke in. “Where’s the ring?”
“Oh, he hasn’t proposed yet. But he’s promised I’ll love it.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “Um, that’s kind of how one gets engaged. So you’re talking marriage then.”
She shook her head. “We’re getting married. We might even elope with Danny and Gemma in Vegas.”
“Wait, what? Gemma Ryan is getting married? Who would want to get with someone so fake?”
“Danny is Brandon’s best friend. It’s...complicated. And I’m going to talk her into fixing that hair and wearing clothes that aren’t so—”
“Hookeresque? You’d have to do something with her stripper boobs for that to happen.” Ava offered with a smile.
Megan shrugged. “She used to be pretty. I was awful to her, so I need to make up for it. Y
ou’ll get a whole new side of Gemma Ryan. Wait and see.”
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About the Author
Jenna Bayley-Burke is known for her fun, sexy romance novels, baking banana bread, and over-volunteering. She thinks she has the best jobs in the world—mother, wife, and author. When she’s not lost in her latest story, she can be found pursuing whatever hobby her characters are enamored with—photography, yoga, shoes, gardening, crafts, and cooking up a storm. Keep up with Jenna online at:
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Also by Jenna Bayley-Burke…
Compromising Positions
The Billionaire’s Runaway Fiancee
Not My First Rodeo
Not My First Rodeo 2
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The Billionaire's Private Scandal Page 19